Hello From My Englishness

[mr_d_w]

Nature is still doing her thing, which is rather heartening to see in these weird times.

Agreed! I love this time of year for seeing those changes. I'm sure nature doesn't miss us much (aside from maybe scavengers that were living off litter).

 

[Polranny]

Agreed! I love this time of year for seeing those changes. I'm sure nature doesn't miss us much (aside from maybe scavengers that were living off litter).

Being shielded, I'm really missing all that nature stuff. I have a 12 week old Airedale puppy who is desperate to meet other dogs, PARTICULARLY NICK!

 

[numeniusa]

I generally use Zwift or The Sufferfest to do structured training or races/organised rides. On Zwift you have your avatar and the scenery to look at but most of the Sufferfest workouts have footage from pro races so you feel like you’re in the peloton!

I normally listen to either podcasts (Joe Rogan, Gossipmongers and The Move are my favourites) or if I need something to really get me motivated, some loud dance music like The Chemical Brothers or Leftfield. Or Royal Bloody are pretty good to work out to. Anything with a fast or heavy beat seems to work for me!

The only slightly depressing thing about watching the pros is when you realise just how fast they go. I know he was doped to the eyeballs but Pantani averaged something like 22kph up Alpe d’Huez which has an average gradient of 8%. I know some people who can’t hold that on the flat!

I know! I can't even keep up with their cadence most of the time. And I like a fast cadence, easier on my aging knees...

Have you ridden the Alpe? First time last year for me. I loved it. Hard, yes, but beautiful, interesting, not just a slog up, lots to look at, and the hairpins to count. I especially like that the top hairpin is numbered zero I did not get anywhere near 22kph, of course.

 

[numeniusa]

Agreed! I love this time of year for seeing those changes. I'm sure nature doesn't miss us much (aside from maybe scavengers that were living off litter).

I do think the birds have become very brave. Where I live is extremely rural and quiet, so there isn't a lot of human activity anyway, but even here it's quieter and the birds are strutting about, owning the place! I've seen sexy blackbirds shagging on my wall, and sparrows bustling about collecting nesting material largely oblivious to my sitting nearby. A few days ago I was cycling up a short hill and spotted a small bird firtling about in the verge, just a foot from my wheels, utterly unworried.

 

[Spiritedlady]

I do think the birds have become very brave. Where I live is extremely rural and quiet, so there isn't a lot of human activity anyway, but even here it's quieter and the birds are strutting about, owning the place! I've seen sexy blackbirds shagging on my wall, and sparrows bustling about collecting nesting material largely oblivious to my sitting nearby. A few days ago I was cycling up a short hill and spotted a small bird firtling about in the verge, just a foot from my wheels, utterly unworried.

You should try living somewhere with parakeets. I like to think of them as the “ Joker” of the birdworld - the Suicide Squad version ( eg flashy but a bit shit). I saw two of them sat outside a woodpecker house ( WTF is it called? ....a hole in the tree in which the woodpecker lives?) Don’t say nest. Anyway, every time the woodpecker poked his/her head out the parakeets got all arsey and it went back in again. It was very “ Liam Gallagher on a night out”

 

[MatureChattyMann]

You should try living somewhere with parakeets. I like to think of them as the “ Joker” of the birdworld - the Suicide Squad version ( eg flashy but a bit shit). I saw two of them sat outside a woodpecker house ( WTF is it called? ....a hole in the tree in which the woodpecker lives?) Don’t say nest. Anyway, every time the woodpecker poked his/her head out the parakeets got all arsey and it went back in again. It was very “ Liam Gallagher on a night out”

Thankfully no hoodlum parakeets here, so the woodpecker (greater spotted) can enjoy the fat balls at leisure.

 

[Rapha1979]

I know! I can't even keep up with their cadence most of the time. And I like a fast cadence, easier on my aging knees...

Have you ridden the Alpe? First time last year for me. I loved it. Hard, yes, but beautiful, interesting, not just a slog up, lots to look at, and the hairpins to count. I especially like that the top hairpin is numbered zero I did not get anywhere near 22kph, of course.

I’ve not ridden it in real life unfortunately (although quite a few times virtually on Zwift!). I rode Teide in Tenerife a couple of years ago and loved that. It was quite a nice climb - long at about 25km but really well surfaced and a consistent 6% all the way. The peak is well over 2000m though and you certainly feel like you’re sucking on some pretty thin air by the time you get to the top. Some fantastic, moon-like scenery to keep you distracted though!

I’d love to do the Alpe one day, along with Ventoux and the Stelvio. For the time being I have to make do with the South Downs!

 

[MrDevereaux]

Being shielded, I'm really missing all that nature stuff. I have a 12 week old Airedale puppy who is desperate to meet other dogs, PARTICULARLY NICK!

I get to look at stuff from my balcony. Currently I’m not doing well, so enjoying standing out on the balcony and listening to birds, watching squirrels.

Nick is an adorable dog.

 

[londoner2]

I do think the birds have become very brave. Where I live is extremely rural and quiet, so there isn't a lot of human activity anyway, but even here it's quieter and the birds are strutting about, owning the place! I've seen sexy blackbirds shagging on my wall, and sparrows bustling about collecting nesting material largely oblivious to my sitting nearby. A few days ago I was cycling up a short hill and spotted a small bird firtling about in the verge, just a foot from my wheels, utterly unworried.

"Firtling".

A word I have never heard before but which I intend to now use on every possible occasion.

Thank you.

I agree with you about the birds. The dawn chorus here is deafening however, despite listening to Tweet of the Day every day since it first started on Radio 4, I can only just about tell the difference between a Woodpecker and an Owl...

 

[londoner2]

You should try living somewhere with parakeets. I like to think of them as the “ Joker” of the birdworld - the Suicide Squad version ( eg flashy but a bit shit). I saw two of them sat outside a woodpecker house ( WTF is it called? ....a hole in the tree in which the woodpecker lives?) Don’t say nest. Anyway, every time the woodpecker poked his/her head out the parakeets got all arsey and it went back in again. It was very “ Liam Gallagher on a night out”

There's a song about the Woodpecker's hole...

 

[Polranny]

I was taking photos at a sports event and two extremely attractive women thought I was hitting on them by starting to take a picture of their dog 'It's only a dog' one sneered.... I replied 'What? Ridiculous! This is a beautiful dog and excuse me while I get slobbered on' I thanked them then moved on laughing... They realised that as awesome as their figures were, the smelly mutt was more attractive



You are too kind, MrDevereaux - your slippers will not be slobbered on!

Re suits: I have all (bar one) away to a charity helping people get knitted out when trying to get back into work. I did keep my Church's shoes but suits, shirts & ties sent to a more appreciative home.

Slippers....yum

 

[Polranny]

Those paws!!

Beautiful

I didn't realise you had a foot fetish!!!

 

[AlliaP]

a) Pol I may have to steal your dog - he is ridiculously cute

b) Nicked from twitter land...

Kneeling Nun, Recto, (1731) by Martin Van Meytens the Younger.

Or alternatively twitter AV vs. lit AV

 

[MrDevereaux]

What a fucking day.

Days like today make this lockdown feel like decades.

 

[AlliaP]

What a fucking day.

Days like today make this lockdown feel like decades.

We’ll get through it, sunnier days are coming lovely, am in the middle of doing manchilds tea, but ping me if you need me, I don’t mind the distraction... I don’t care if his tea burns, xx

 

[Polranny]

What a fucking day.

Days like today make this lockdown feel like decades.

Hey, Mr.D. I'm shielded, ergo longer than you in the cabin. Be positive and we'll all get through this. Message me if you need to.

 

[AlliaP]

Oh my... Tamsin Greig in Twelfth Night... National Theatre on YouTube... Mr D she has spinning tits, watch and we’ll exchange cliff notes...

 

[AlliaP]

It gets kinkier...

 

[MrDevereaux]

Thank you guys.

Your support is much appreciated. It will get easier. It will pass.

 

[AlliaP]

Thank you guys.

Your support is much appreciated. It will get easier. It will pass.

 

[MrDevereaux]

Oh my... Tamsin Greig in Twelfth Night... National Theatre on YouTube... Mr D she has spinning tits, watch and we’ll exchange cliff notes...

Erm. I’ll have to wait for a new copy of the study notes ... mine appear to be ... erm ... stuck together.

 

[AlliaP]

Erm. I’ll have to wait for a new copy of the study notes ... mine appear to be ... erm ... stuck together.

Haha! Seriously tho - watch! And they have Frankenstein coming up in a week or two... both the Benedict Cumberbatch as monster and the Jonny Lee Miller as monster versions... culture in lockdown, x

 

[MrDevereaux]

Haha! Seriously tho - watch! And they have Frankenstein coming up in a week or two... both the Benedict Cumberbatch as monster and the Jonny Lee Miller as monster versions... culture in lockdown, x

Benedict Cumberbatch.

I ... I’ll be back.

 

[Beth87]

Haha! Seriously tho - watch! And they have Frankenstein coming up in a week or two... both the Benedict Cumberbatch as monster and the Jonny Lee Miller as monster versions... culture in lockdown, x

This i need to remember to watch.
JLM tattooing himself in elementary is Lit worthy.. obviously he is good actor or whatever lol but im obsessed with that moment

 

[Spiritedlady]

Haha! Seriously tho - watch! And they have Frankenstein coming up in a week or two... both the Benedict Cumberbatch as monster and the Jonny Lee Miller as monster versions... culture in lockdown, x

I hope I remember this.... my OH announced last night that he’s on a residential course next week ( for the whole week). I’m not sure I can cope with “ Mummy look, watch me mummy, I’m hungry, MUMMY LOOK” for that period without respite.